At the invitation of Meng Jianzhu,
member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of
the CPC Central Politics and Law Commission, and State Councilor Yang Jiechi,
Security Council Secretary of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev will
visit China from September 12 to 14 to attend the 3rd meeting of China-Russia
Law-enforcement and Security Cooperation Mechanism and the 12th round of
China-Russia Strategic Security Consultation.

Q: The China-ASEAN leaders’
meeting on September 7 adopted the guidelines on hot-line communication among
senior diplomatic officials from China and ASEAN countries to address maritime
emergencies and a joint statement on the application of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea in the
South China Sea. How do you evaluate these two documents?

A: The South China Sea is a
bridge connecting China and ASEAN countries. Thanks to concerted efforts, the
situation in the South China Sea is progressing in a positive direction.
Regional countries are working to bring the South China Sea issue back to the
right track of dialogue and consultation in a forward-looking spirit.

The joint statement on this meeting
reaffirmed all parties’ commitment to fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the
South China Sea (DOC). The meeting adopted the guidelines on hot-line
communication among senior diplomatic officials from China and ASEAN countries
to address maritime emergencies and a joint statement on the application of the
Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea in
the South China Sea. These are all important achievements within the
framework of implementing the DOC,
fully reflecting the determination and confidence of all parties to manage and
control disputes with regional rules, deepen practical maritime cooperation,
and cool down the South China Sea situation. Such agreements undoubtedly will
boost mutual trust, decrease risks on the sea, manage and control the South
China Sea situation and preserve peace and stability of the region. China
stands ready to work with ASEAN countries under regional regimes represented by
the DOC, properly handle disputes,
enhance mutual trust, steer clear of disruptions and jointly maintain peace and
stability of the South China Sea.

Q: US President Obama said
at the US-ASEAN Summit that the Hague ruling on the South China Sea arbitration
was binding, and he also hoped that more diplomatic efforts could be made to
resolve this issue peacefully. What is your comment on his remarks?

A: During the foreign
ministers’ meeting on East Asia cooperation previously held in Laos, the US
made it clear that it took no stance and chose no sides regarding the result of
the South China Sea arbitration case, and it encouraged parties directly
concerned to talk to each other. As for President Obama’s remarks, I learnt
about them from media reports. We still need to check what he really said. I
believe our position on the so-called South China Sea arbitration case is clear
to you all. China will not accept nor acknowledge the ruling, because the
ruling by the so-called ad hoc arbitral tribunal infringed upon China’s
legitimate rights and interests, challenged the norms of international law that
uphold sovereignty and territory integrity, sabotaged the sanctity and
integrity of the legal system of international maritime laws, and trampled
regional rules based on the DOC. This
tribunal, whose establishment has no legal basis, also has no jurisdiction over
this case. Its ruling can in no way have any binding force. For anyone,
including the US side, one basic fact that must be made clear is that regarding
issues of territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, China will
never accept any third-party settlement adopted without China’s consent or any
solution shoved under its nose. China will be resolute in safeguarding its
territorial sovereignty and maritime interests in the South China Sea. We will
continue to engage parties directly concerned in direct dialogues and
consultations to peacefully resolve disputes, and work with ASEAN countries to
maintain peace and stability of the South China Sea. We also hope that the US
can be objective and unbiased and genuinely play a constructive and responsible
role in maintaining peace and stability of the South China Sea region.

Q: The latest issue of Air
China in-flight magazine has a story warning London visitors about going to
neighborhoods with large populations of Indians, Pakistanis and black people,
advising tourists not to go out alone, and females to keep themselves
accompanied. This article has come under fire in the UK. Some British lawmakers
wrote to the Chinese ambassador to the UK, accusing this article of racial
discrimination. What is your comment?

答：我看到了有关报道，但不了解情况。我也注意到今天国航方面已经就此做出初步反应。

A: I have seen relevant
reports, but I am not aware of the specifics. I have also noticed the initial
response given by Air China.

我想强调的是，中国政府一贯主张和坚持各民族一律平等，坚决反对一切形式的种族歧视。这一立场是一贯、明确的。

I want to stress that the Chinese
government upholds equality among all ethnic groups and opposes all forms of
racial discrimination. This position is consistent and clear.

追问：外交部对中国赴英游客有没有发布什么旅行建议？

Follow-up: Does the Foreign
Ministry have any travel tips for Chinese visitors to the UK?

A: Normally, we issue
safety alert if the region is highly risky and conflict-stricken. For the UK,
there has been no such thing so far. I want to stress that the Chinese
government and relevant departments always encourage greater cooperation in
tourism and personnel exchanges between China and the UK. We hope that people
from the two sides can get to know each other better through more mutual visits.

问：英国一些政界人士呼吁中国驻英大使介入此事。中国驻英使馆是否已经介入此事？

Q: Some British
politicians call on the Chinese ambassador to the UK to get involved. Has the
Chinese ambassador to the UK done anything in this regard?

A: I have no relevant
information. As I said, the policy of the Chinese government on ethnic groups
and races is clear and consistent. We uphold equality among all ethnic groups
and oppose all forms of racial discrimination. I have noticed the initial
response from Air China. Relevant departments will have the necessary talks
with Air China, and we believe Air China will investigate about this and
properly deal with it.

Q: Russian President Putin
told the press after the G20 Summit that on the South China Sea issue, Russia
agrees with and supports China’s position of not acknowledging the South China
Sea arbitration case and the ruling, believing that any interference by a
non-regional power would only hamper the solution of the issue. What is your
response?

A: We have noted President
Putin’s remarks. He grasped the crux of the South China Sea arbitration case
initiated by the Philippines and declared Russia’s objective and unbiased
position on this issue which represents the just voices of the international
community. China highly commends that.

If a country truly cares about
peace and stability in the South China Sea, it will support China’s efforts to
peacefully resolve the dispute with parties directly concerned in accordance
with international law, bilateral agreements and the DOC, oppose external interference in the South China Sea-related
affairs, and oppose the behaviors that heighten regional tension and sow dissension
among regional countries.

问：中国和俄罗斯将于本月在南海地区举行联合军演，请证实。军演将于何时举行、持续多久？

Q: China and Russia will
hold a joint military drill this month in the South China Sea. Could you
confirm? When will it start? How long will it last?

答：关于中俄将在南海地区举行联合军事演习，这是双方商定的例行演习。国防部发言人已经就此表态，建议你查阅。

A: This drill is a routine
exercise as agreed by the two sides. I would refer you to the statement made by
the Spokesperson of the Defense Ministry.